Effect of age on ankle biomechanics and tibial compression during stair descent.

Background: Stress fracture is a concern among older adults, as age-related decrements in ankle neuromuscular function may impair their ability to attenuate tibial compressive forces experienced during daily locomotor tasks, such as stair descent. Yet, it is unknown if older adults exhibit greater tibial compression than their younger counterparts when descending stairs.

Research Question: Do older adults exhibit differences in ankle biomechanics that alter their tibial compression during stair descent compared to young adults, and is there a relation between tibial compression and specific changes in ankle biomechanics?

Methods: Thirteen young (18-25 years) and 13 older (> 65 years) adults had ankle joint biomechanics and tibial compression quantified during a stair descent.

Tibial compression during sustained walking with body borne load.

This study determined if sustained walking with body borne load increases tibial compression, and whether increases in tibial compression are related to vertical GRFs. Thirteen participants had tibial compression and vertical GRF measures quantified while walking at 1.3 m/s for 60 min with body borne load.